Fig. 1
CD73 expression and regulation. A Relative expression of CD73 mRNA is shown as mean log2 fold change (Log2FC) of EGF-treated versus untreated samples with SEM from bulk RNAseq results following treatment of Kyse30 and FaDu cells with high-dose EGF (50 ng/mL; 72 h) (n = 4 independent experiments) [48]. **** p < 0.0001 B FaDu and Kyse30 cell lines were maintained under control condition (serum-free), treated with an EMT-inducing concentration of EGF (50 ng/mL; 72 h), or with a combination of EGF and Cetuximab (Cet.; 10 µg/mL; 72 h). Shown are representative bright light microscopy images of each treatment. C Upper: FaDu and Kyse30 cells were treated as in (B) and CD73 expression was assessed by flow cytometry with specific antibodies. CD73 histograms are marked according to their related treatments. All other histograms represent negative controls. Lower: Mean fluorescence intensities (MFI) of control treatment, EGF treatment, and EGF + Cetuximab treatment are shown as mean with SD from n = 3 independent experiments. Ns: not significant; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001; **** p < 0.0001. Singular data points are depicted. D FaDu and Kyse30 cells were treated as described in legends with EGFlow (1.8 nM, 72 h), EGFhigh (9 nM, 72 h), and EGFhigh in combination with MEK inhibitor AZD6244 (0.1 µM) of AKT inhibitor MK2206 (0.1 µM). CD73 expression was assessed by flow cytometry with specific antibodies. Shown are representative histograms from n = 3 independent experiments. Left: isotype controls, right: specific staining. E Mean fluorescence intensities (MFI) of control treatment, EGFlow, EGFhigh, and EGFhigh plus MEK or Akt inhibitor treatment are shown as mean with SD from n = 3 independent experiments. Ns: not significant; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001. Singular data points are depicted